[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 145 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5881-H5883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SECURING OUR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD ACT

  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5346) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the 
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Health Affairs responsible 
for coordinating the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security 
related to food, agriculture, and veterinary defense against terrorism, 
and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5346

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Securing our Agriculture and 
     Food Act''.

     SEC. 2. COORDINATION OF FOOD, AGRICULTURE, AND VETERINARY 
                   DEFENSE AGAINST TERRORISM.

       (a) In General.--Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 is amended by inserting after section 526 (6 U.S.C. 
     321o) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 527. COORDINATION OF DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 
                   EFFORTS RELATED TO FOOD, AGRICULTURE, AND 
                   VETERINARY DEFENSE AGAINST TERRORISM.

       ``(a) Program Required.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs, shall carry out a 
     program to coordinate the Department's efforts related to 
     defending the food, agriculture, and veterinary systems of 
     the United States against terrorism and other high-
     consequence events that pose a high risk to homeland 
     security.
       ``(b) Program Elements.--The coordination program required 
     by subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following:
       ``(1) Providing oversight and management of the 
     Department's responsibilities pursuant to Homeland Security 
     Presidential Directive 9 - Defense of United States 
     Agriculture and Food.
       ``(2) Providing oversight and integration of the 
     Department's activities related to veterinary public health, 
     food defense, and agricultural security.
       ``(3) Leading the Department's policy initiatives relating 
     to food, animal, and agricultural incidents, and the impact 
     of such incidents on animal and public health.
       ``(4) Leading the Department's policy initiatives relating 
     to overall domestic preparedness for and collective response 
     to agricultural terrorism.
       ``(5) Coordinating with other Department components, 
     including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as appropriate, 
     on activities related to food and agriculture security and 
     screening procedures for domestic and imported products.
       ``(6) Coordinating with appropriate Federal departments and 
     agencies.
       ``(7) Other activities as determined necessary by the 
     Secretary.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 note) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking the items relating to sections 523, 524, 
     and 525; and
       (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 522 the 
     following new items:
``Sec. 523. Guidance and recommendations.
``Sec. 524.Voluntary private sector preparedness accreditation and 
              certification program.
``Sec. 525. Acceptance of gifts.
``Sec. 526. Integrated public alert and warning system modernization.
``Sec. 527. Coordination of Department of Homeland Security efforts 
              related to food, agriculture, and veterinary defense 
              against terrorism.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Donovan) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5346, Securing Our 
Agriculture and Food Act, introduced by Congressman David Young of 
Iowa. This bill seeks to authorize the Department of Homeland 
Security's Food, Agriculture, and Veterinary Defense Program within the 
Office of Health Affairs.

                              {time}  1515

  Earlier this year, the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, 
Response, and Communications held a hearing to examine the potential 
devastating impacts of an intentional attack on, or natural disruption 
of, U.S. agricultural or food production systems.
  The food and agriculture sector is critically important to our 
Nation's economy. U.S. food and agriculture accounts for roughly one-
fifth of the Nation's economic activity, contributed $835 billion to 
the U.S. gross domestic product in 2014, and is responsible for 1 out 
of every 12 United States jobs.
  Coming from Iowa, Congressman Young knows all too well the importance 
of protecting this sector, which

[[Page H5882]]

is vital to the economy and our way of life. I appreciate him 
introducing this bill, which I am pleased to cosponsor.
  I want to thank Chairman Upton of the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce and Chairman Conaway of the Committee on Agriculture for 
working with us to advance this bill.
  This legislation received bipartisan support in the Committee on 
Homeland Security. I urge all Members to join me in supporting this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
                                         House of Representatives,


                                     Committee on Agriculture,

                                Washington, DC, September 6, 2016.
     Hon. Michael McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: Thank you for the opportunity to 
     review H.R. 5346, ``Securing our Agriculture and Food Act.'' 
     As you are aware, the bill was primarily referred to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security, while the Agriculture 
     Committee received an additional referral.
       I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this 
     legislation before the House in an expeditious manner and, 
     accordingly, I agree to discharge H.R. 5346 from further 
     consideration by the Committee on Agriculture. I do so with 
     the understanding that by discharging the bill, the Committee 
     on Agriculture does not waive any future jurisdictional claim 
     on this or similar matters. Further, the Committee on 
     Agriculture reserves the right to seek the appointment of 
     conferees, if it should become necessary.
       I ask that you insert a copy of our exchange of letters 
     into the Congressional Record during consideration of this 
     measure on the House floor.
       Thank you for your courtesy in this matter and I look 
     forward to continued cooperation between our respective 
     committees.
           Sincerely,
                                               K. Michael Conaway,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                             Committee on Energy and Commerce,

                               Washington, DC, September 14, 2016.
     Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: I write in regard to H.R. 5346, 
     Securing our Agriculture and Food Act, which was referred to 
     the Committee on Homeland Security and in addition to the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce. I wanted to notify you that 
     the Committee will forgo action on the bill so that it may 
     proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
       The Committee on Energy and Commerce takes this action with 
     our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of 
     H.R. 5346 at this time, the Committee does not waive any 
     jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or 
     similar legislation and that the Committee will be 
     appropriately consulted and involved as this bill or similar 
     legislation moves forward to address any remaining issues 
     within the Committee's jurisdiction. The Committee also 
     reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate 
     number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving 
     this or similar legislation and asks that you support any 
     such request.
       I would appreciate your response confirming this 
     understanding with respect to H.R. 5346 and ask that a copy 
     of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the 
     House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Fred Upton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                               Washington, DC, September 14, 2016.
     Hon. Fred Upton,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy on Commerce, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Upton: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 5346, the ``Securing our Agriculture and Food Act.'' I 
     appreciate your support in bringing this legislation before 
     the House of Representatives, and, accordingly, understand 
     that the Committee on Energy and Commerce will forego 
     consideration of the bill.
       The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration on this bill at 
     this time, the Committee on Energy and Commerce does not 
     waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in 
     this bill or similar legislation in the future. In addition, 
     should a conference on this bill be necessary, I would 
     support a request by the Committee on Energy and Commerce for 
     conferees on those provisions within your jurisdiction.
       I will insert copies of this exchange in the Congressional 
     Record during consideration of this bill on the House floor. 
     I thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                               Washington, DC, September 14, 2016.
     Hon. K. Michael Conaway,
     Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Conaway: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 5346, the ``Securing our Agriculture and Food Act.'' I 
     appreciate your support in bringing this legislation before 
     the House of Representatives, and accordingly, understand 
     that the Committee on Agriculture will forego consideration 
     of the bill.
       The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration on this bill at 
     this time, the Committee on Agriculture does not waive any 
     jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this bill 
     or similar legislation in the future. In addition, should a 
     conference on this bill be necessary, I would support a 
     request by the Committee on Agriculture for conferees on 
     those provisions within your jurisdiction.
       I will insert copies of this exchange in the Congressional 
     Record during consideration of this bill on the House floor. 
     I thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5346, the Securing Our 
Agriculture and Food Act. H.R. 5346 would clarify the responsibilities 
of the Department of Homeland Security's Assistant Secretary of Defense 
for Health Affairs as they relate to the Department's responsibilities 
under HSPD-9, the Defense of U.S. Agriculture and Food.
  Accounting for nearly one-fifth of the economic activity of the 
Nation, agriculture is not only critical to human health, but also to 
the national economy. Although New Jersey's 10th Congressional District 
is not known for its rolling fields of corn or vast cattle ranches, it 
is home to large international ports.
  Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists are on the 
front lines at the Port of Newark and Newark Liberty International 
Airport to protect domestic agriculture and food supply from foreign 
pathogens. These ports of entry are located in the largest consumer 
market in North America, reaching 23 million local consumers and 100 
million more within a 36-hour reach. In fact, the Port of Newark and 
Newark Liberty International Airport are top-performing ports of entry 
with top interception numbers and several ``First-in-Nation'' insect 
finds.
  Despite the large size and enormous volume of these two ports, there 
are not enough agriculture specialists for the work that we need to be 
done. That is why I offered an amendment in the committee to direct the 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to coordinate 
activities with other DHS components, including Customs and Border 
Protection.
  I want to thank the subcommittee chairman for his support, and I am 
hopeful that the coordination required by my amendment will inform 
staffing decisions at U.S. ports of entry. We must do what we can to 
ensure the food and agriculture sector is protected. I strongly 
encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Young).
  Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Donovan and Ranking 
Member Payne.
  Last year's outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza forced 
a tough and heartbreaking reality for many folks in Iowa's Third 
Congressional District, all over the State, and in districts across the 
country.
  Iowa suffered the largest animal disease outbreak in State history, 
devastating many farmers and producers by wiping out millions of layer 
hens, turkeys, and backyard flocks.
  Now, as the Federal Government scrambled to respond to last year's 
events, efforts revealed problems with their ability to react quickly 
and communicate with stakeholders. I heard from numerous farmers, 
producers, and other stakeholders frustrated by this lack of 
communication and delay in action. Response efforts to the outbreak 
also highlighted concerns about our country's ability to share 
information and quickly respond to potential agroterrorism threats and 
attacks.
  Now, as our Nation faces global and complex national security 
challenges, agroterrorism as well as future large-scale animal disease 
outbreaks pose serious threats to our food, agriculture, and livestock 
industries in the United States.

[[Page H5883]]

  I introduced the Securing our Agriculture and Food Act, H.R. 5346, in 
order to address this issue by securing our Nation's agriculture 
industry, food supply, and ultimately protecting our consumers, our 
families, across the Nation.
  This agroterrorism preparedness legislation requires the Secretary of 
the Department of Homeland Security to elevate preparedness of our 
Nation's food, agriculture, and veterinary systems against terrorism 
and high-risk events. It also authorizes the Secretary, acting through 
the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, to collaborate 
with other Federal agencies to ensure food, agriculture, and animal and 
human health sectors receive much-needed attention, and are integrated 
into the Department's domestic preparedness policy initiatives.
  Whether we are preparing for future avian influenza outbreaks, animal 
disease outbreaks, or unforeseen emergencies or attacks, our Federal 
Government must have the tools and resources to act quickly and keep 
stakeholders informed. Parents should not have to worry about the 
safety of the food that they serve their children. We must ensure a 
safe and abundant food supply for our families; and my bill, this 
bipartisan bill, enables us to do just that.
  I want to thank all Members--Homeland Security Chairman McCaul, 
Ranking Member Thompson, Subcommittee Chairman Donovan, Ranking Member 
Payne for helping and making this a better bill, and Chairman Conaway 
of the Committee on Agriculture and Chairman Upton of the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce--who worked closely with me to bring this important 
bill to the floor. This was truly a collaborative effort and proves 
that we can do things in a bipartisan manner and together for the good 
of the country.
  I want to thank staff as well, especially those on the Subcommittee 
on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications of the 
Committee on Homeland Security who worked so hard on this issue.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5346 was unanimously approved by the Committee on 
Homeland Security on September 13. It recognizes the importance of 
securing our food and agriculture sector.
  Once again, I would like to reiterate that the proper agriculture 
specialist staffing at our ports helps to keep the diseases that are 
likely to jeopardize the agriculture industry and food supply out of 
this country. I hope that H.R. 5346 will help improve our ability to 
protect the agriculture industry from biothreats.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5346.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I, once again, urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5346.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5346, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________